The Game Goat Thread: Wk 15 at Miami

[SeoulSoxFan]

Another close game, but no miracle comeback this time.

Although there are the obvious goats, this was a gritty game against a PO hungry Dolphins team.But still, rules are rules.

The goats:

- Ghost: missed FG and killer KO out of bounds
- Boyce: 3 drops - plays himself out of the game
- Amendola: had the winning TD in his hands
- BB: goes for FG twice near goal line. Burnt by Philbin & his 4th and 5 call

The game balls:

- Brady: on target pretty much all game
- Edelman: Minitron comes through big again

Also, the injury bugs hit again: Solder with another concussion.

A special honorable mention to Volin, who jinx-tweeteed this after the last Pats TD: https://twitter.com/BenVolin/status/412318077942890497
 

Big three and out for the #Patriots D. Heeeeere comes the comeback

And another HM goes to sodenj5 for bringing out the once lost hatred for Phins and (some of) their fans.

 

[Bellhorn]

Steve Gregory is pretty useless

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Defesnive backfield was awful today. Just awful. None of them played well.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Amendola showed up today but needs to come down with that ball.

Whole team teams a goat for not showing up for the third quarter.

 

[Boston Brawler]

Ghost and Amendola for the reasons stated above by SSF.

 

[Stitch01]

BB 4th down decision making, Ghost, and the Cole/Gregory combo before the half get my goats.  BB on 4th down killed the Pats against Carolina too. Boyce honorable mention, but he's a 5th string rookie so whatever.  Line wasn't great in the second half, but its the six stringers so, whatever.
 
Amendola's wasn't a drop, but frustrating he couldn't corrall it.  Some credit to the Miami dback on that one.

 

[TheoShmeo]

I really love the Amendola but he just has to catch that pass.  Game over.
 
And Ghost for Kasay-ing that kick.
 
And for whoever didn't make the tackle on the 4th and 5 play.
 
And Josh for not giving Austin Collie more snaps.

 

[axx]

Sure looked like a tackle should have made to stop the 4th down play from picking up the first.

 

[Super Nomario]

Amendola's wasn't a drop, but frustrating he couldn't corrall it.  Some credit to the Miami dback on that one.

This game was all about players making catches and not making catches with dudes draped on them. Wallace did. Hoomanawanui did, then he didn't. Boyce couldn't all game (or last week on the PI play in the end zone). Amendola couldn't. It's not always going to be wide open catches. The Pats' receivers repeatedly came up small when well-covered. To be fair, they are physically small; they really could have used Dobson or Thompkins (or maybe even D.J. Williams).

 

[E5 Yaz]

I just have so little confidence in the D finishing off a team that has 3rd and 17. But the short field from the kickoff was a killer

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Pats should not have let the refs decided, but it's safe to say whistles were firmly swallowed on some plays:
 

 

[Mystic Merlin]

The past 6 weeks are proving how ludicrous the game ball/goat distinction can be, but today there are three 'downs' I would point out above all else:
 
1.) Bill Belichick.  Kicking on 4th and 2 at about the MIA 5 was fucking dumb.
 
2.) Danny Amendola.  That was a tough play at the end...but the ball was in both arms, and he didn't hold on.  You have to fucking catch those in the red zone if you're going to go anywhere, especially without Gronk and a banged up Dobson/Thompkins.
 
3.) Gostkowski.  Missed a FG within his range and committed a cardinal sin of kicking by launching a ball OOB with under 4 minutes left.  In close games, kickers have to hit the former and not do the latter.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Picking Amendola over guys like Gregory and Boyce is asinine. Amendola was awesome, and couldn't come down with a ball on a play where the defender grabbed his arm and yanked it as he was turning. Gregory was shit the entire game, Dennard didn't play particularly well, and really Talib was the only guy that played well back there.
 
Still, I thought the team competed well, and just couldn't quite get it done. Given the unbelievable number of injuries, I'm not really that upset. Solder is probably done for the year now, too. That's ridiculous. We're on our 5th string tackle, who isn't a tackle.

 

[Bellhorn]

Ancient history now, but the 4th down vs Carolina was pretty borderline. The lack of an onside kick following that FG was objectively worse, but that would have been a pretty unorthodox idea. Having said that, I agree that today was terrible, and the late FG down 10 vs Cincinnati was also ridiculous.

It is a little depressing that by the standards of NFL head coaches, being a genius means getting relatively simple math problems wrong less often than the others do.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

The refs swallowed the whistles both ways. On at least 2 Tannehill sacks pats could have been called for contact to the head.

Tannehill made some great throws today. I didn't think he could be that consistently accurate.

Amendolas at the end wasn't a drop but he didn't make a play. He is a guy the pats needs to make big plays at big moments now. It really hurt not having either of their bigger WRs out there at the end.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Picking Amendola over guys like Gregory and Boyce is asinine. Amendola was awesome, and couldn't come down with a ball on a play where the defender grabbed his arm and yanked it as he was turning. Gregory was shit the entire game, Dennard didn't play particularly well, and really Talib was the only guy that played well back there.
 
Still, I thought the team competed well, and just couldn't quite get it done. Given the unbelievable number of injuries, I'm not really that upset. Solder is probably done for the year now, too. That's ridiculous. We're on our 5th string tackle, who isn't a tackle.

 
Boyce was clearly the worse player throughout.
 
I'm placing a lot of value on leverage here - I know the defender was all over him, but the fucking ball was IN HIS HANDS.  You're a top target out there in a critical situation.  Catch balls that hit your hands (and practically are pinned to your chest).  It's not like Clemons almost broke his neck or pinned his arms back or something.
 
EDIT - Let me be clear: Amendola's play was not a 'drop'.  But he didn't win the battle for the ball.

 

[mauf]

This game was all about players making catches and not making catches with dudes draped on them. Wallace did. Hoomanawanui did, then he didn't. Boyce couldn't all game (or last week on the PI play in the end zone). Amendola couldn't. It's not always going to be wide open catches. The Pats' receivers repeatedly came up small when well-covered. To be fair, they are physically small; they really could have used Dobson or Thompkins (or maybe even D.J. Williams).


You know who they could have used? Cordarelle Patterson.

It's anathema to criticize BB in these parts, but trading down instead of taking the consensus 2nd or 3rd best player at a position of need counts as a blunder, IMO.

 

[mpx42]

They wouldn't have drafted Cordarelle Patterson.

 

[Ed Hillel]

 
Boyce was clearly the worse player throughout.
 
I'm placing a lot of value on leverage here - I know the defender was all over him, but the fucking ball was IN HIS HANDS.  You're a top target out there in a critical situation.  Catch balls that hit your hands (and practically are pinned to your chest).  It's not like Clemons almost broke his neck or pinned his arms back or something.
 
EDIT - Let me be clear: Amendola's play was not a 'drop'.  But he didn't win the battle for the ball.

 
I know, I wasn't trying to pick on you, I actually started writing before you posted. I just thought Amendola and Edelman were huge today, and I'm not giving him goat status over the guys who really sucked all day. If one of those others had stepped up earlier in the game, it wouldn't have been necessary.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Game comes down to 2 fucking plays. . Stop them on 3 and 17 and 4 and 5 and you win the fucking game. Nothing else matters. Nothing. Had the lead and let it slip away. This is not a championship level team. They'll be lucky they win another game the rest of the season.

 

[pdaj]

 
Pats should not have let the refs decided, but it's safe to say whistles were firmly swallowed on some plays:
 

 
The refs consistently swallowed their whistles in this one. A lot of holds/grabs were ignored both ways.
 
IMO, the "goat" winner is Gostkowski. His missed FG at the start of the 3rd quarter was a huge momentum swing in the game. And after the Pats go up 20-17, "Ghost" takes the pressure off of a second-year QB by kicking it OOB. Inexcusable for a veteran kicker kicking in near-perfect weather. Once Miami was in FG range, Tannehill looked relaxed, knowing that at worst, they'd tie the game. 

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Game comes down to 2 fucking plays. . Stop them on 3 and 17 and 4 and 5 and you win the fucking game. Nothing else matters. Nothing. Had the lead and let it slip away. This is not a championship level team. They'll be lucky they win another game the rest of the season.

 
I think they're better than Buffalo, just a shot in the dark here.

 

[Super Nomario]

You know who they could have used? Cordarelle Patterson.

It's anathema to criticize BB in these parts, but trading down instead of taking the consensus 2nd or 3rd best player at a position of need counts as a blunder, IMO.

Patterson is / was hardly a sure thing; he was thought of as a high-risk, high-reward pick and it's still not clear how good he's going to be. "Blunder" is way too strong.

 

[Stitch01]

This game was all about players making catches and not making catches with dudes draped on them. Wallace did. Hoomanawanui did, then he didn't. Boyce couldn't all game (or last week on the PI play in the end zone). Amendola couldn't. It's not always going to be wide open catches. The Pats' receivers repeatedly came up small when well-covered. To be fair, they are physically small; they really could have used Dobson or Thompkins (or maybe even D.J. Williams).

Yup, agreed, just not enough from that one play to make him a goat in my mind.  Their receivers made more plays then everyone except maybe Edelman, and that was a catchable ball.  Really need Dobson and Thompkins back, although its still going to be a bit of a struggle the rest of the way, particularly on the road.  Interested to look back and see what Miami did to take Vereen out of the game.

 

[Harry Hooper]

 
Boyce was clearly the worse player throughout.
 
I'm placing a lot of value on leverage here - I know the defender was all over him, but the fucking ball was IN HIS HANDS.  You're a top target out there in a critical situation.  Catch balls that hit your hands (and practically are pinned to your chest).  It's not like Clemons almost broke his neck or pinned his arms back or something.
 
EDIT - Let me be clear: Amendola's play was not a 'drop'.  But he didn't win the battle for the ball.

 
 
Sure looked like Amendola had both hands on the ball and was bringing it in to his chest, but the defender looped his left arm under and between and punched right into the ball. It's a good play by the DB (ignoring preceding grab/early contact).

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

You know who they could have used? Cordarelle Patterson.

It's anathema to criticize BB in these parts, but trading down instead of taking the consensus 2nd or 3rd best player at a position of need counts as a blunder, IMO.

 
We already have someone better than CP:

• 1st rounder Patternson: 35 rec / 395 yards / 11.3 YR / 2 TD
• 2nd rounder Dobson: 35 rec / 492 yards / 14.1 YR / 4 TD

He just happens to sit on the sidelines today.

 

[Stitch01]

 
I think they're better than Buffalo, just a shot in the dark here.

Yeah, and they will be favorites in the first playoff game.
 
They're 10-4, were in every game until the last possession while being beat to shit with injuries.  lolboohoo at anyone bitching that this isn't a championship level team.  They probably wont have enough, but they're going to win the division and still very well might get a bye with a skeleton squad competing their ass off.

 

[Ed Hillel]

You know who they could have used? Cordarelle Patterson.

It's anathema to criticize BB in these parts, but trading down instead of taking the consensus 2nd or 3rd best player at a position of need counts as a blunder, IMO.

 
It's not at all clear that Patterson is better than Dobson, so I'm not really sure how "blunder" is an appropriate term here.

 

[Super Nomario]

Game comes down to 2 fucking plays. . Stop them on 3 and 17 and 4 and 5 and you win the fucking game. Nothing else matters. Nothing. Had the lead and let it slip away. This is not a championship level team. They'll be lucky they win another game the rest of the season.

They can win at home. Lose at Baltimore, win vs Bills is mostly likely outcome. 11 and 5 and the 4 seed. Beat KC at home, lose in the second round.

 

[rodderick]

 
Pats should not have let the refs decided, but it's safe to say whistles were firmly swallowed on some plays:
 

 

 
I was fucking livid about this non call, considering the weak sauce PI they called on us to givce the Dolphins first and goal at the 5. Absolutely terrible, Hooman was basically tackled way before the ball got to him.

 

[Stitch01]

11-5 is about as likely to get the 2 seed as the 4 seed IMO.  Need the Steelers tonight and Chiefs next week against Indy.

 

[Super Nomario]

Yup, agreed, just not enough from that one play to make him a goat in my mind.  Their receivers made more plays then everyone except maybe Edelman, and that was a catchable ball.  Really need Dobson and Thompkins back, although its still going to be a bit of a struggle the rest of the way, particularly on the road.  Interested to look back and see what Miami did to take Vereen out of the game.

I agree; it was probably Amendola's best game other than the season-opener.

 

[Stitch01]

Yeah that Hooman play probably should have been a PI.  Oh well.

 

[E5 Yaz]

 
I was fucking livid about this non call, considering the weak sauce PI they called on us to givce the Dolphins first and goal at the 5. Absolutely terrible, Hooman was basically tackled way before the ball got to him.

 
The Pats defensive backs and linebackers get away with this move all the time

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

They're 10-4, were in every game until the last possession while being beat to shit with injuries.  lolboohoo at anyone bitching that this isn't a championship level team.  They probably wont have enough, but they're going to win the division and still very well might get a bye with a skeleton squad competing their ass off.

 
Steelers, Ravens, and Giants all had plenty of flaws before their run. If you're in the dance, you have a chance unless you're the 6th seed going in at 9-7 or 8-8.

 

[mauf]

It's not at all clear that Patterson is better than Dobson, so I'm not really sure how "blunder" is an appropriate term here.


It's pretty clear, however, that Brady is better than the series of clowns who've been throwing to Patterson -- a lot of his yards are of the YAC variety.

 

[rodderick]

Yeah, and they will be favorites in the first playoff game.
 
They're 10-4, were in every game until the last possession while being beat to shit with injuries.  lolboohoo at anyone bitching that this isn't a championship level team.  They probably wont have enough, but they're going to win the division and still very well might get a bye with a skeleton squad competing their ass off.

 
They absolutely aren't a championship level team. As of now, they are a mediocre team with a championship level quarterback. I know they've had injuries, and if everyone was healthy they surely would have enough quality to go all the way, but if this team ends up in the Super Bowl, Brady and Belichick should be canonized on the spot.

 

[Ed Hillel]

It's pretty clear, however, that Brady is better than the series of clowns who've been throwing to Patterson -- a lot of his yards are of the YAC variety.

 
That's true, but Dobson has missed 3+ weeks now. I don't really know how to project what Patterson would do here vs. what Dobson would do.

 

[rodderick]

 
The Pats defensive backs and linebackers get away with this move all the time

 
If they do it in this fashion they should be penalized too. It was blatant.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

It's pretty clear, however, that Brady is better than the series of clowns who've been throwing to Patterson -- a lot of his yards are of the YAC variety.

 
But you're talking about at 1st rounder vs a 2nd. Huge difference in value. 

 

[Super Nomario]

 
They absolutely aren't a championship level team. As of now, they are a mediocre team with a championship level quarterback. I know they've had injuries, and if everyone was healthy they surely would have enough quality to go all the way, but if this team ends up in the Super Bowl, Brady and Belichick should be canonized on the spot.

Yeah, what would this team be with Mallett at QB? 5-10?

 

[ShaneTrot]

I love the team and the fight they show, but the injuries are getting to an outrageous level. Its hard to have confidence in a long playoff run when you are missing at least half of your top ten players; Vince, Gronk, Mayo, Seabass, and now probably Solder. Plus Talib is playing but he doesn't look like the same guy before the injury.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

 
They absolutely aren't a championship level team. As of now, they are a mediocre team with a championship level quarterback. I know they've had injuries, and if everyone was healthy they surely would have enough quality to go all the way, but if this team ends up in the Super Bowl, Brady and Belichick should be canonized on the spot.

 
To be fair, this could be said for a lot of teams in the PO. Also, look at GB. 

 

[rodderick]

 
To be fair, this could be said for a lot of teams in the PO. Also, look at GB. 

 
I'd take the Broncos', Bengals', and Chiefs' rosters over the Patriots' in a heartbeat, as long as I could keep Brady. Green Bay is also a mediocre team with an awesome quarterback, that only lends credence to my argument. Without Rodgers they are toast, with him, they are a good team, but one that would have to severely overachieve to make the Super Bowl. 

 

[Reverend]

 
They absolutely aren't a championship level team. As of now, they are a mediocre team with a championship level quarterback. I know they've had injuries, and if everyone was healthy they surely would have enough quality to go all the way, but if this team ends up in the Super Bowl, Brady and Belichick should be canonized on the spot.

 
If they have to roll Solder up for the season, I might downgrade my goal for Brady to "Survival."

 

[RedOctober3829]

Yeah, and they will be favorites in the first playoff game.
 
They're 10-4, were in every game until the last possession while being beat to shit with injuries.  lolboohoo at anyone bitching that this isn't a championship level team.  They probably wont have enough, but they're going to win the division and still very well might get a bye with a skeleton squad competing their ass off.

Sweet, so we should just applaud them for giving a great effort. 3 pt lead and 3rd and 17. Make a play and its a different story. Championship teams make a stop there hell, lesser teams stop that. Pussy zone defense the entire day too. I'm so pissed right now.

 

[dcmissle]

 
If they have to roll Solder up for the season, I might downgrade my goal for Brady to "Survival."

 
Particularly next week.  If there ever were a team sorely in need of a first-round bye, the Pats are it.  But it's going to be tough to hold that 2 spot.  Root like hell for the Steelers tonight and the Ravens in week 17.

 

[RedOctober3829]

 
Particularly next week.  If there ever were a team sorely in need of a first-round bye, the Pats are it.  But it's going to be tough to hold that 2 spot.  Root like hell for the Steelers tonight and the Ravens in week 17.

Be happy that they even win the division. Miami has Buffalo next week. The AFC East very well might come down to the final week with Miami having the Jets.

 

[Stitch01]

Sweet, so we should just applaud them for giving a great effort. 3 pt lead and 3rd and 17. Make a play and its a different story. Championship teams make a stop there hell, lesser teams stop that. Pussy zone defense the entire day too. I'm so pissed right now.

Just trying to stay a bit grounded.  Team is beat to shit and in every game and 10-4, Im going to give them some credit for that and not feel bad about it.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Sweet, so we should just applaud them for giving a great effort. 3 pt lead and 3rd and 17. Make a play and its a different story. Championship teams make a stop there hell, lesser teams stop that. Pussy zone defense the entire day too. I'm so pissed right now.

 
They'd be making more plays, of course, with their better players on the field. I know that injuries happen to everyone, but this is the worst I've ever seen in terms of devastating injuries to key players on the Pats. If they're going to keep games close and win 2/3rds of them, I can't be mad. It's amazing they got through 2 drives with nearly 14 points with the OL they put out there. I can be mad about Gregory, I suppose. I know they tried with Adrian Wilson, but that's a position that really needs a fucking upgrade.